Last updated on March 27th, 2023 at 11:24 am

Do you plan on visiting Trier in December? If so, read on to hear all about the Trier Christmas Markets and more interesting things to do.

Trier is located near the Luxembourg border and is the oldest city in Germany. It is situated on the Mosel river and is also known as the ‘Rome of the North’. There are many Roman ruins to be found around the city still.

December is a nice time to visit the city as then you can see the wonderful Trier Christmas Markets as well. They are located in the charming centre of Trier, where you will find Christmas decoration stalls, food stalls, jewellery stalls and much more.

Go To:

You may also want to visit Dusseldorf Christmas Markets, check out the details on my post – Dusseldorf Christmas Markets

Or maybe you would like to see what Berlin has to offer? 3 Day Berlin Itinerary: The Best Spots In Berlin

Or take a 7 day road trip: Germany, Austria & Switzerland

If you are passing by, you can see the city in a day as it is easy to get around and is not the biggest of cities. If you are flying just to visit Trier, I would go for 2 days at least as the airports are a bit of a trek away and it is a lovely city to spend some time taking it in.

The weather in Trier in December is usually quite cold. When I was there, the temperatures hit -4°C and we had some snow fall as well. So be sure to bring your your warm jacket and pants, scarf, gloves and hat.

Dates: November 24th to December 22nd 2023

Opening Times: Monday to Saturday 10:30am – 8pm, Sunday 11am to 8pm

The Trier Christmas markets are well worth a visit. They are located on the Hauptmarkt and Domfreihof which are 2 squares located directly beside each other in the centre of Trier.

The first markets you will see are those in the Hauptmarkt where there is a big square filled with timber huts decorated with fairy lights. You will find many food options here and stalls selling Christmas decorations. If you have kids there is a carousel to keep them entertained for a while.

Then you walk up sternstraße where you will find more markets on Domfreihof. Another square filled with various stalls offering festive treats and plenty of Christmas gift ideas. Spend some time strolling around browsing the stalls and soaking in the atmosphere.

Head down to the Kornmarkt after where you will find the ice arena. Maybe you want to do some ice-skating. The price for an adult is €6 plus €5 for rental of the skates, so a total of €11 per person.

• Flamkucchen – a flatbread with toppings (similar to pizza)
• Churros
• Waffles
• Lebkuchenherzen – gingerbread heart cookies
• Gluhwein – mulled wine
• Bratwurst – a long sausage on a bread roll
• Currywurst – chopped bratwurst in a curry ketchup sauce
• Reibekuchen – hash Brown like Potato Pancakes

Porta Nigra

Trier was said to be one of the four capitals of the Roman Empire between the 3rd and 4th century. There are Roman ruins scattered around the city which are worth a visit. The Porta Nigra or black gate was one of the four gates in the wall around the city.

As well as this, there are three Roman Baths located in the city – the Imperial Baths, the Barbara Baths and the Forum Baths. Another 10 minute walk from the imperial baths, you will find the trier amphitheatre used for gladiator fighting in Roman times.

Admire the architecture of the Cathedral of Trier, the Liebfrauenkircke and the Electoral Palace too.

Trier has a nice variety of shops on some of the main shopping streets – Simeonstraße, Hauptmarkt, Palaststraße, Brotstraße and Fleischstraße. Muller and Woolsworth are two massive shops that have great bargains, especially if you are looking for Christmas presents. Mountain warehouse is another shop that had some great offer for those interested in the outdoors.

Flammkuchen (I couldn’t resist before taking a photo)

If you want to get some shelter from the cold, here are some recommendations for food and drink:

• Brasserie zur sim – if you are going here get the flammkuchen, it was very tasty. Vegan and vegetarian options.
• Hans Im Glück – if you are looking for great burgers, eat here. Offers vegan and vegetarian options here too.
• Burger House – if you are looking for more great burgers, eat here. Vegan and vegetarian options.
• Daily Dose – this café is perfect for sandwiches and coffee. They do great paninis and have some vegan bagels.
• Schlabbergass – they offer a nice Guinness as well as other food and drink in a cosy atmosphere (its no pint of Guinness, its only 0.4L, but it’s still nice).
• Taglich – this pub is best for cheap drink, €2.90 for a Jameson, Jack Daniels or Captain Morgan.

Tip: Not all restaurants have English menu’s, so be sure to download the google translate app. This way, you can take a picture of the menu and translate it to English.

We stayed here and this was a great apartment, right next to the Porta Nigra. Really warm, perfect for a couple. There is a double bed and a fold out bed in the one room. Also there is a nice couch that is comfortable to sleep on. So it would be ideal for a group of 4 friends also.

There is a supermarket straight across the road so perfect if you are on a budget or want to eat in the apartment. We paid €86 per night for the apartment. You can book a room here.

Located in the city centre and rated very good on booking.com, Park Plaza Trier is a good option if you are looking for a bit more luxury. This 4 star hotel costs roughly €150 per night for a double room.

• The closest airport to trier is Luxembourg Airport, which is about a 35 minute drive or you can get a direct train. The direct train which takes about 45 minutes and costs just €6 one way on the omio app.
• Then Frankfurt Hahn is next closest airport, roughly a 1 hour drive. But public transport is not good from Frankfurt Hahn to trier. So you may have to end up getting a taxi or uber which is about €150 one way.
• When you are in trier centre, all the main attractions are within walking distance.

I hope you enjoyed this post about Trier in December. If you found it helpful, share it with your friends. You can subscribe for the latest posts and information below.

Thanks for reading,

Lisa

• Don’t forget to get travel insurance before you set out on your adventure. Safety Wing is a great choice and so reasonable.
• If you are looking for accommodation, then Hostelworld or Booking.com are good options with plenty of accommodation choices.
• Looking to book tours, entry tickets and more, check out Get your Guide.
• Follow me on instagram @wandererlane 🙂 

Last updated on June 28th, 2023 at 04:30 pm

In this blog post, I bring to you the 10 best day trips from Canggu. If you are based in Canggu for a while, it is a great location for exploring more of the island of Bali. You can reach most places within 2 hours. So, you would be mad to miss the opportunity to explore the surrounding areas.

I was based in Canggu for 3 months and got to see so much of the island from here. So, read on to find out the details..

Go To:

Take a look at the below posts for more Bali inspiration:

As you may be aware, a scooter is the best way to get around Bali. Due to the traffic being terrible in Bali, driving by scooter makes it much quicker to get places than driving by car.

If you are not confident driving a scooter, then there are other options. You can ride as a passenger on a scooter to get to your destination. Simply order a bike on the Grab or Gojek app. It is really cheap and ideal for when you are going short distances.

You can also opt to get a car to drive you, you can order these on Grab or Gojek too. The prices are very reasonable and these drivers are plentiful around Canggu.

But do your research before you go to a different destination, to check Grab or Gojek are used so you can get a ride back to Canggu easily (they are not used in all areas). If not, you will need to find a taxi around the area.

The other option is to hire a driver for the day who will take you to your destination, wait for you and drop you back to Canggu. I have used Hendra Adiwijaya many times before and would highly recommend him. His Whatsapp number is +6281907495241.

I used Fajar Bali located in Batu Bolong, it was the cheapest I found in Canggu. You can rent a scoopy for 70k per day, less than €5. They provide you with helmets also.

Tegallalang Rice Fields, Ubud

Ubud (about 1 hour by scooter from Canggu) is a great place for exploring waterfalls & rice fields. But it is also a nice place to relax – the yoga barn is popular for people interested in yoga or meditation classes.

Head to the monkey forest to watch the monkeys. It is 80k to enter and a nice way to spend some time monkey spotting.

While you are near the centre, take a walk through the art market & pick up some souvenirs. Don’t be afraid to haggle.

If you fancy a scenic stroll, why not do the Campuhan Ridge Walk? It offers some great rice field views and even better, it’s free.

Then make your way to Umah Pakel coffee plantation & Tegallalang rice terrace. Taste the most expensive coffee in the world (Luwak coffee) before taking in the incredible views of the rice terraces.

If you fancy learning how to cook some traditional Balinese dishes, then do this cooking class. It was really enjoyable and you get a big feed at the end.

On the way back, head to Tegenungan waterfall. It costs only 20k/€1.25 to get in.

Day trip from Canggu to Uluwatu, Thomas Beach

The second of the day trips from Canggu is Uluwatu. It is roughly 1 hour by scooter from Canggu.

Stop by some of the beautiful beaches. Here are some of my favourites – Thomas beach, Suluban beach, Bingin beach and Nyang Nyang beach.

If it is a beach club vibe you are looking for, then head to Sundays Beach Club. Or go to Uluwatu temple to see a Kecak fire dance, for a unique experience.

GWK cultural park is another option when you are in Uluwatu. Here you can see the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue which stands 122 metres in height and can be seen from miles away as well as other attractions.

If you are a thrill seeker, why not go paragliding on Nyang Nyang Beach? You can book with Bali Paragliding and it costs about 1 million IDR/ €60.

View from Mt. Batur

Arrange a tour to climb Mt. Batur for sunrise. Mt. Batur is an active volcano, last erupting in 2000. We went on a tour from Canggu where you get picked up around 1am and taken to Mt Batur, over a 2 hour drive.

Once you arrive, you will get some food and drink (we had tea/coffee and fried banana) before you start the trek. You will get some more food at the top while you wait for the sunrise.

Unfortunately, the day we did it, we got no view, just plenty of fog. But we went in February, which is the rainy season and knew that we were not guaranteed good weather. You have a much higher chance of a clearer view if you go between May and September.

You can do the hike in runners and shorts but be sure to take an extra layer or two for the top as it gets chilly. Also, bring some water. It takes between 1 and 2 hours to go up and a little shorter to come back down. We were up in 1 hour 40 minutes and had a decent pace.

You will be back in Canggu around lunch time (12 or 1). But try not to organise anything for the rest of the day if you can because you will be tired!

You can book a tour here through ‘get your guide’ which includes a visit to a coffee plantation where you can try the famous luwak coffee. It works out cheaper per person if you have 2 or more going due to the transfer costs.

Banyumala Waterfall, Munduk

Head to Munduk for a day to experience the wonderful lakes and waterfalls. It is about 2 hours north of Canggu.

Munduk is a true gem, hidden away from big crowds of tourists. I have written a separate blog on a 2 day Munduk itinerary. However, it is possible to do it in a day if you go early in the morning and come back late in the evening.

You could hit Banyumala waterfall, twin lake view point and the 4 of the Munduk waterfalls – Golden Valley, Red Coral, Labuhan Kebo, Melanting, which is Day 2 in my itinerary.

Sunset at Seminyak Beach

A nice, relaxing thing to do on a free day in Canggu is to walk to Seminyak and watch the sunset as you walk along the beach. If you plan in advance and go when the tide is low, then you can comfortably walk from Canggu to Seminyak.

If you start at Batu Bolong, you will pass through Berawa beach, Batu Belig, Petitenget Beach and then Seminyak. Stop along the way for a drink.

We set off at 4:30pm and were back for 7pm just as it was dark. It takes 1 hour to walk from Canggu to Seminyak so a 2 hour return trip.

If you are missing some of your favourite shops from back home, then pay a visit to the beachwalk shopping centre in Kuta, they might just have what you are looking for. It has a variety of international brands such as Adidas, Asics, Sephora, Zara and more.

Also, there is a waterpark in Kuta called Waterbom Bali which has good reviews and would make for a great day out.

Day Trips from Canggu: Tanah Lot Temple

Just a short spin by scooter, 25 minutes from Canggu is Tanah Lot temple. It is 20k/€1.25 to enter. A nice time to go is for sunset, where you can watch a fire dance there too.

Blue Lagoon, Nusa Ceningan

Nusa Lembongan & Ceningan were my favourite islands that I have visited near Bali. I loved the unbelievable scenery, the variety of activities & places to see. It is perfect for a short getaway from Bali.

It takes just 30 minutes by fast boat from Sanur Harbour. Sanur is less than an hour by scooter. I loved that it was small and really easy to get around by scooter.

Start off with a 30 minute mangrove tour. Then head to Dream Beach & Devils Tears. Afterwards, cross over the yellow bridge to Nusa Ceningan where you can see the Blue Lagoon. This is another location offering stunning views and such blue water.

Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida

Another great day trip from Canggu is to head to Nusa Penida. About 40 minutes on a boat from Sanur, you arrive at stunning green landscapes, cliffs and white sand beaches you won’t want to miss.

Although ideally you will want to spend a few nights there, it is possible to see 2-3 of the main attractions in one day.

You can get boats out as early as 7:30 which will have you at Penida before 8:30 and the latest boats are at 17:00. I use 12goasia to book tickets and 1 way is around 110k/less that €7.

You could stick to the west and do Kelingking beach, broken beach/Angel Billabong and Crystal Bay. Or you could go east and visit Atuh beach, diamond beach, Thousand Island View and Rumah Pohon Treehouse.

Other cool places to visit if you have the time are Guyangan waterfall, Tembeling beach and Gamat Bay. All of the beaches are stunning on Penida, so you will not be disappointed with wherever you choose.

Jatiluwih Rice Fields, Tabanan

Rent a scooter and go to Tabanan to visit some waterfalls and rice fields. There are so many waterfalls in this area, Leke Leke and Nung Nung were my favourites.

Nung Nung is about 1 hour 10 minutes on the scooter from Canggu and Leke Leke is about 30 minutes from Nung Nung.

But, there are many others in between to break up the journey, star some on google maps and plan your route before you go.

Leke Leke was 50k/€3 per ticket to enter & Nung Nung was 20k/€1.25.

After Leke Leke, head to Jatiluwih rice terraces for fabulous views of the rice fields. You can drive through them on the scooter, or hop off and go for a walk. It cost 40k/€2.50 per person to enter.

On the way back to Canggu, stop off in Bali Butterfly Park. It was 100k/€6 to enter, more expensive than most other attractions but it was really worth it.

The guide puts butterflies and moths on you and lets you hold leaf and stick insects as well.

A bonus destination I want to mention is the Gili Islands. These islands are a great place to go for a weekend, I would recommend staying there for at least 2 nights and seeing at least 2 of the islands. Read here to find out how to get to the Gili islands from Canggu.

If you found this post on ‘day trips from Canggu’ helpful, share it with your friends. Comment below with any thoughts or questions, I would be glad to hear from you. Plus, don’t forget to subscribe for more!

Thanks for reading,

Lisa

• Don’t forget to get travel insurance before you set out on your adventure. Safety Wing is a great choice and so reasonable.
• If you are looking for accommodation, then Hostelworld or Booking.com are good options with plenty of accommodation choices.
• Looking to book tours, entry tickets and more, check out Get your Guide.
• Follow me on instagram @wandererlane 🙂 

Would you like to contact me for any reason? If yes, please do so here. I would love to hear from you and I will get back to you as soon as I can!

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Last updated on July 3rd, 2023 at 07:41 pm

In this post, I want to go through the different options of how to get from Canggu to the Gili islands. It takes some research to find the best option, but it will make your life easier if you read this post and figure out the best option for you.

Go To:

If you are in South East Asia, you might find my other recent blog posts interesting:

The main route options to consider are going from Padang Bai (Central Bali) or Sanur (South Bali) to the Gili Islands.

The drive from Canggu to Sanur is roughly 50 minutes. But the fast boat from Sanur to Gili Trawangan is roughly 3 hours.

The drive from Canggu to Padang Bai is about 2 hours. Plus the fast boat from Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan takes about 2 hours.

The route we took was from Padang Bai. We purchased a ticket from a shop called ‘Three D Cell‘ in Batu Bolong, Canggu. The price was 650k/€40 each so it was the cheapest option we found after some research. Here is what it included:

• pick up from our homestay in Canggu at 6:30
• return fast boat ticket from Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan & back from Gili Air to Padang Bai
• shuttle bus drop off at Canggu Station

We got a Grab from Canggu station back to our accommodation after that.

Another thing to note is that if you get a return ticket, you are meant to check in at the company’s desk at the harbour on Gili. We were not told this but you are meant to check in so they can book you a space on the boat.

It depends on whether you would prefer longer on a boat or in a car/bus. For me, I was glad to get off the boat after 2 hours and get into an air conditioned car for another 2 hours.

Also take into consideration the price. The cheapest we found went from Padang Bai so that is what we opted for.

My advice would be to shop around at some of the stalls on the side of the street selling tickets to see what their best deal is. Haggle to get money off your tickets. If you are near the port, go to the offices there and see what are the best deals you can get.

You can also compare the prices of the tickets on 12GoAsia and add on what the transport will cost. The Grab and Gojek app will have the best prices on a car or scooter ride. If you are going to Sanur and have a scooter, you can just drive yourself and park there.

Next, you can also check with each fast boat company directly through the website or whatsapp to see how much they are charging (Bluewater express, Semaya One etc). You can also try get a better deal through whatsapp.

Lastly, if you do not mind paying extra, but just want someone else to deal with all the fast boat tickets and transport hassle, so you can just show up. You can book a ticket with get your guide here and that includes the boat and they collect you and drop you off at your hotel in Bali. This actually goes from Serangan harbour which is further south of Sanur, around 1 hour 5 minutes driving.

**Make sure to have some cash as you have to pay a harbour tax of 10k at Padang Bai, plus an island tax of 10k at Gili Trawangan.

The boat company that was used as part of the tickets we bought was inVinia on the way out. We had to get the Samaya One fast boat back as for some reason inVinia was not running.

Don’t expect anything special with these boats, only that you will be very hot.

We went when Nyepi was on in Bali (a day of silence), so many tourists escape to the Gili islands at this time where Nyepi is not celebrated. So this was a very busy time to go and boats were crowded – it was hot and cramped, but that’s part of the fun.

The Semaya One was a bit nicer than the inVinia as it had more windows inside so it was much more airy. The best seat I found was on the top deck inside, not too hot but a good breeze.

Go to the public harbour in Gili T which is located a 3 minute walk north of the main harbour, where you got off the boat from Bali. You can get a public boat from here at 9:30 & 16:00 daily. It costs 45k/€2.75 to Gili Air and 40k/€2.45 to Gili Meno one way.

Be at the harbour about 30 minutes before to get your tickets. It takes about 30 minutes to get from Gili Trawangan to Gili Air and about 10-15 minutes to Gili Meno.

There are also regular fast boats that depart from the same pier but costs around 100k. They will get you there about faster.

The thing that I loved the most was the water sports. You can go Supping at SUP Gili for just 100k/€6.10 per hour (so cheap), we did and it was a highlight for me on the trip. A guide takes you out and teaches you how to stand on the board. We seen turtles too while we were out there. They also offer kayaking.

After that we rented snorkels from the same place for just 25k/€1.50 each and snorkelled around turtle point. We swam with turtles and I would definitely recommend it! The turtles were very close to the shore, making them easy to find.

Other than that, relax on the beach with a drink and some food. There is also a night market if you are interested.

I do hope that this post on how to get from Canggu to the Gili islands was helpful. If so, share it with your friends and subscribe for more.

Thanks for reading,

Lisa

• Don’t forget to get travel insurance before you set out on your adventure. Safety Wing is a great choice and so reasonable.
• If you are looking for accommodation, then Hostelworld or Booking.com are good options with plenty of accommodation choices.
• Looking to book tours, entry tickets and more, check out Get your Guide.
• Follow me on instagram @wandererlane 🙂 

Last updated on May 19th, 2023 at 02:23 pm

In this post, I will take you through my 10 thing to do in Amsterdam in April. When we moved to the Netherlands in 2021, we lived in Amsterdam for 1 month, before moving south to Eindhoven.

Since then I have spent many weekends there, showing friends and family who visited around the Dutch capital. So here are my suggestions and tips I have learned along the way.

FAQs:

Maybe you want to visit Eindhoven? It is only 1hr 20 minutes by direct train, then have a look at this post on things to do in Eindhoven.

For your next trip you might fancy a weekend in Rome, check out my 3 day Rome itinerary.

Want some tips on planning your tip abroad? Have a look at a recent post with 30+ Essential Holiday Planning Tools & Useful Resources

If you are a solo female traveller, check out these must know tips

Number 1 of the top 10 places to visit in Amsterdam is Walibi Holland. When I visited, I felt like a child at Christmas. Walibi Holland Amusement Park is heaven for the thrill seekers out there. It offers a variety of thrilling rollercoasters and some tamer rides as well. I have been once and would definitely go back again. You can queue on your phone too which is very handy.

I would advise getting there as early as possible and queuing up for the best rides first (such as lost gravity) when the queues are shorter.

To get to Walibi Holland from Amsterdam, you will need to get the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Amersfoort Central. Then you will need to change and get another train from Amersfoort Central to Harderwijk. The two train journeys will take roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.

If you are going in a group of 3 or more at off-peak hours, it will be cheaper to buy a group ticket. To read more about the off-peak hours or to buy a group ticket, click here. If it is just 1 or 2 people that are going, tickets can be bought at the train station or online here.

At Harderwijk train station, visitors can take the Walibi Express bus that will take you straight to Walibi Holland. The bus trip takes about 25 minutes. Tickets can be purchased on board.

An essential thing to do in Amsterdam in April is to visit the Keukenhof. The Keukenhof is an incredible display of flowers that covers 32 hectares (79 acres). It is a feast for the eyes! The gardens gather massive crowds each year. I have been twice and both the men and women enjoyed it!

The Keukenhof is only open for 8 weeks from mid-march, to mid-may, so the best time to visit the Keukenhof is around the last 2 week of April for the best chance to see the blooming. Get the exact dates it is open here as it is different each year.

The easiest way to get there, if you do not have a car, is to get the combo ticket that includes a direct bus journey from Amsterdam centre plus the entry ticket to the gardens. For more routes from Amsterdam you can check the details here.

Buy Keukenhof combo ticket here!

If you want to get a view over Amsterdam on Europe’s highest swing, then go to the A’Dam lookout. I would highly recommend – you can get a 360 degree view of Amsterdam. It costs €14.50 and you can get your tickets here. There is also other options to get the VR experience as well which costs extra.

As Amsterdam is the home of Heineken, the Heineken Experience is interesting to do. You get some of the history of Heineken and are taken on an experience through the factory. They show how the Heineken is made and what it contains and more.

You get a small drink along the way. Then you get another 2 free drinks at the end of the tour at the bar, where there is music playing. The drinks you get nearly cover the price of the ticket. The tickets are €21 and you can buy them here.

Buy Heineken Experience ticket here!

Another must do while in Amsterdam in April is a boat trip along the city’s canals. It is a good idea to do at the start of the trip as you can see what the city has to offer and get an idea of its location.

One of the cheaper options can be bought here. This is a one hour boat tour on an enclosed boat with an audio guide. Or if you prefer an open boat and commentary from the skipper, this is a good option here.

I did both and I preferred the open boat, you can see more, there is much less people on board and it is a more personal experience.

This mini golf is really good fun. You can buy a drink at the bar and take it around the course with you. There are 18 holes and it takes about 45 minutes. I would highly recommend this, especially if there is a group. Throw on a bet between the group to make it even more exciting. You can buy a ticket here.

Buy ticket to mini golf here!

Let’s face it, the majority of people will want to see the Red Light District when they are in Amsterdam, even if they won’t admit it. So go and take a walk down….

Between 11pm and 3am is when this area is at it’s liveliest. But be careful if you are going at this hour, make sure there is a group of you together. Also be wary of pick-pocketers, keep your hand on your bag. Apart from that, it is an experience like no other. Enjoy the walk through the unique red light district of Amsterdam.

If you read the Diary of Anne Frank and have an interest in World War 2, then you should pay a visit to Anne Frank’s house. It is nice to see the place in reality that you have read about and be reminded of what the family lived through by listening to the audio guide. Tickets cost €14 for an adult and can be bought here.

Another nice thing to do in Amsterdam in April is to rent bikes and cycle through Vondelpark and Rembrandt park. In Vondelpark, there is a restaurant, where you stop for a drink and a bite to eat to relax ad enjoy the nature for a while.

Rembrandt Park is quite close to Vondelpark so you should cycle through there too. There is a petting zoo there and you will see plenty of dogs and ducks roaming around as well.

If you are interested in art or science, then check out some of the museums Amsterdam has to offer. It has a large selection to choose from – Madame Tussauds, Van Gogh, Rijksmuseum, Nemo Science museum, Ripleys believe it or not, body worlds, the list goes on… If this is up your alley you can check out tickets here.

April is a great time to visit Amsterdam as they weather is fair, there are not so many tourists around and the tulips are in full bloom. September is also good when the weather is still nice and the crowds of tourists start to die down.

May to July is also a good option weather wise but crowds will be bigger.

The weather in Amsterdam in April can be cool with some warmer days. The temperature gets higher towards the end of the month. Temperatures range from about 10° celsius to 25° celsius throughout the month.

You can get really nice sunny days in April, but also a good chance of rain so be prepared for both.

It is one of those in between months where you are not sure what to wear, one minute your cold, the next minute you are sweating. Bring a rain jacket for sure, not too light or too heavy. Also, take with you some long pants, t-shirts and some jumpers or sweaters.

Also Buienradar is a useful website to predict rain in the Netherlands.

Finding accommodation in Amsterdam can be very tricky. Firstly, it is super expensive to stay in Amsterdam.

Secondly, due to the canals there are many mice and rats scurrying around. I have experience of staying in a hotel there where I was woken up by a few mice in my room and Eoin experienced the same in a hostel he stayed in. So here are a few recommendations from previous stays. Note that these are ranked cheapest to most expensive.

*For extra money saving tips while you are in the Netherlands, read about my experience of costly things not to do in the Netherlands

For a further cheaper hostel option, check out Train Lodge Hostel. A unique experience where you will stay in a train carriage for the night.

One thing to note the carriages are very tight on space, so keep that in mind. The price is roughly €55 per bed per night for a single bed in a 6 bed dormitory.

It is based on the outside of the city just a 4 minute walk from Sloterdijk station where you can get a 5 minute train to Amsterdam Central. But be aware that you may need to get an uber back if you are out late after the trains stop running.

This is the only one listed myself or Eoin have not stayed in but I felt like the list was missing another mid-range option. The price is around €170 per night for a double room. The reviews on booking.com are good at 8.4 out of 10. This is located a good bit outside of Amsterdam near Sloterdijk. It is about a 10 minute walk from Sloterdijk station where you can get a 5 minute train to Amsterdam centraal.

Inntel Hotel Landmark Amsterdam is a really nice 4 star hotel on the east of Amsterdam. It is a bit out from the centre – you would need to get a tram (walk about 10 minutes and get a 6 minute tram) or an uber. Roughly €250 per night for a double room.

Hotel Nes is a 3 star hotel located in the city centre, this is a nice option where you can get to most places easily by foot. The price is roughly €350 per night.

Westcord City Centre Hotel is a 3 star hotel too and I would highly recommend it if you are looking for something based in the city centre. You can walk easily to most places from here. It is a more expensive option though. Around €400 for a double room per night.

• The Happy Pig – unreal pancakes and waffles including vegan ones, don’t miss this one!
• Belushis/The Winston Bar – cheap and tasty food including burgers, chips, wings & a nice spot for drinks too.
• Van Kerkwijk – a quaint restaurant that provides a cool experience where there is no physical menu. The food is very tasty although a bit pricey.
• Croissanterie Egstorf – tasty, large stroopwafels (a traditional Dutch delicacy) that are made right in front of you and are warm when you get them. A must try!
• Mellys Cookies Bar – nice for a sweet treat, plenty of cakes and biscuits, the caramel biscuit is very good. Not much seating there but nice to pick something up on the go too.
• Eetcafe Singel 404 – great option for breakfast or lunch, really tasty paninis.

I hope you got some inspiration for your trip and you get a chance to explore these 10 things to do in Amsterdam in April. If you fancy seeing more of what the Netherlands has to offer take a read of a recent post on 5 Must Visit Places In The Netherlands. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to comment below. Please subscribe for more.

Thanks for reading,

Lisa

If you are on a budget in the Netherlands, you will want to read 7 costly things not to do in the Netherlands.

• Don’t forget to get travel insurance before you set out on your adventure. Safety Wing is a great choice and so reasonable.
• If you are looking for accommodation, then Hostelworld or Booking.com are good options with plenty of accommodation choices.
• Looking to book tours, entry tickets and more, check out Get your Guide.
• Follow me on instagram @wandererlane 🙂 

Last updated on July 26th, 2023 at 03:03 pm

In this post, I will take your through the 10 best day trips from Antwerp, Belgium. If you are in Antwerp for just a few days, or are living there for a while, you may want to explore some of the other cities nearby. Read on to discover some of those cities worth visiting.

All trains mentioned have a starting point of Antwerp Central and all cities included take 2 hours or less to get to, from Antwerp.

I use Omio to buy train tickets, it is good, especially if you are travelling between Germany and the Netherlands as you can buy the tickets in the one place.

Have a read of 5 Must Visit Places in the Netherlands if you fancy crossing over the border to see what lovely cities the Dutch have to offer.

Don’t miss out on the best tools for planning your trip – read 30+ Essential Holiday Planning Tools & Useful Resources now!

Maybe you prefer an Italian getaway, look no further than the recent itinerary I created: What to do in Rome for 3 Days?

• 1 hour by train
• 55 minutes by car

From Antwerp Central, there are a few trains heading in the Ghent direction. Get the train to either Poperinge, De Panne or Oostende and get off the stop ‘Gent-Sint-Pieters’.

Ghent is a great option for a day trip from Antwerp. It is definitely the nicest city I have been to in Belgium. It is one of the less popular tourist cities, but it has so much to offer and should be first on anyone’s list of towns to visit in Belgium.

While you are there, there are certain places that you should not miss: Visit the beautiful ‘The Castle of the Counts’ at Gravensteen where you can go inside and learn about the horrific torture methods and cruel inquisition that took place. Pay a visit to the castle of Gerald the Devil. Admire St. Bavo’s Cathedral, Abbey and St Nicholas’ Church.

Walk over St. Michael’s Bridge and take in the breathtaking views. Pass by the Ghent belfort, and go shopping along Patershol amidst the beautiful architecture. Or choose to take it in by boat on a stunning canal cruise.

Buy Canal Cruise Tickets Here!

• 1 hour 30 minutes by train
• 1 hour 25 minutes by car

From Antwerp Central, take the train to Oostende, that goes every hour. Ride 8 stops and get off at ‘Brugge’.

Bruges has got to be next best for me. This charming town known as ‘The Venice of the North’ is full of history. Start off by visiting the Markt Square and the Belfry tower, which you will recognise if you have watched the film ‘In Bruges’.

The provincial Palace is another cool building located on Markt Square. Also you can visit Historium Bruges here – this historical museum takes you back in time to the golden ages in Bruges.

Next up visit Burg Square – some of the architecturally pleasing buildings here include the city hall, the courthouse ‘Brugse Vrije’ and the Basilica of the Holy Blood.

There are many ways of seeing Bruges. You can opt to take a canal cruise, see it by bike tour or by attending a walking tour.

Buy Bruges Sightseeing Tickets Here!

• 40 minutes by train
• 1 hour 10 minutes by car

Get the train to Charleroi-Sud, which leaves every 30 minutes. Ride 4 stops and get off at ‘Brussel-Centraal’.

Brussels, Belgium’s capital is next on the list. This city is definitely worth a day trip from Antwerp.

Firstly, you should visit the Grand Palace, the central square in Brussels. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that hosts beautiful architecture including the Brussels town hall and the Royal Palace.

You then need to see the Manneken Pis, a famous landmark in Brussels. Go shopping at Royal Gallery Saint Hubert, a covered shopping centre where you will find a mix of cafes, shops and restaurants to choose from. The atomium and mini Europe are also big attractions in Brussels.

Get away from the hustle and bustle by visiting one of the many parks. Jardin Mont des Arts offers one of the best views of Brussels Grand Place. Its geometric hedges and flower arrangements make it a vibrant sight. Brussels Park is another great spot and the largest urban public park in central Brussels.

Buy Brussels Sightseeing Tickets Here!

• 1 hour by train
• 1 hour 5 minutes by car

Get the train to Leuven that departs once per hour. You need to ride 6 stops, which will take 51 minutes and get off at the ‘Leuven’ stop.

Leuven is a great choice of day trip from Antwerp. It is a university town with a great night life. But also is a charming town with great architecture. Visit the town hall, university library, St. Peters Church and Grand Beguinage. Stroll through the historic city centre and soak in the atmosphere before sitting down for a drink in the Oude Markt, where you will find a long line of bars and a nice atmosphere.

• 20 minutes by train
• 35 minutes by car

Get the train for Tongeren, Charleroi-Sud or Brussel-Zuid/Bruxelles-Midi. They all stop at Mechelen. You need to ride 2 stops/17 minutes and get off at ‘Mechelen’.

Another one of the best day trips from Antwerp is Mechelen as it is just 20 minutes by train.

In Mechelen, you can climb St. Rumbold’s tower, visit the historical Grote Markt or Market square and catch the weekly market on a Sunday morning. Stroll through Mechelen’s Large Beguinage which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Also, you should also pay a visit to the winter garden.

• 1 hour 30 minutes by train
• 1 hour 40 minutes by car

Firstly, get the Charleroi Sud train to ‘Bruxelles – Nord’ (3 stops/38 minutes). Secondly, you need to get on a different train at Bruxelles – Nord to ‘Liege – Guillemins railway station’. You can either get the train to Welkenraedt, Vise or Eupen. You will need to stay on this train for about 55 minutes until you reach ‘Liege – Guillemins railway station’.

Consider visiting some of the following sites on your trip to Liege: Climb the Montagne de Bueren, gaze at the Liege-Guillemins Station, visit St. Pauls Cathedral, the church of St. Bartholomew, the former Palace of Prince Bishops, as well as the city hall.

Learn more about the city at some of Liege’s museums – Grand Curtius museum, La Boverie, Musee d’Ansembourg, the arms museum, Treasure House of Liege, Musee d’Art Religieux Et D’art Mosan.

• 35 minutes by train
• 50 minutes by car

Get the train to Rotterdam central, ride 2 stops or 35 minutes and get off at ‘Breda’.

Breda is another beautiful city and even better it is not very popular for tourists. Read what to do in Breda here from a previous post I have written.

• 35 minutes by high speed train
• 1 hour 35 minutes by car

Get the high speed Thalys train to Rotterdam central. Get off at the first stop after 32 minutes. This train goes once an hour.

Rotterdam is a great option for a day trip from Antwerp. It is more of a modern city and something different to see. This port town has a lot to see and do. Have a read of the highlights here from a previous post I have written.

Buy Rotterdam Sightseeing Tickets Here!

• 2 hours by train
• 1 hour 10 minutes by car

First get the train to Roosendaal, that goes once per hour. Ride 11 stops for 48 minutes. At Rosendaal station, change to the train for Vlissingen and ride 4 stops or 47 minutes.

Looking for a beach day during the summer? Then head to Vlissingen. Stroll along the longest beach promenade in the Netherlands. Go for a swim at Vlissingen beach. Learn about sealife at the Maritime muZEEum and admire the ships at the port of Vlissingen.

• 1 hour 55 minutes by train
• 1 hour 10 minutes by car

The exact same trains for Vlissingen, except on the second train, ride 3 stops/41 minutes and get off at Middelburg.

Some of the main sights to see on your trip to Middelburg include visiting the city hall, abbey and the Lange Jan (the 90 meter tall tower of the abbey). Then stop by the old harbour which is surrounded by beautiful 16th century buildings. Wander around the weekly market on a Saturday in Markt, directly in front of the city hall.

As well as this, take a look at the Kloveniersdoelen which was once a military hospital but is now a grand cafe and cinema. Lastly, check out Kuiperspoort where there are many warehouses and merchant houses situated.

I hope you enjoyed this post on the 10 best day trips from Antwerp, Belgium. Antwerp is in a great location, surrounded by many beautiful cities, so make use of this benefit while you can. Share this post with your friends, if it was useful for you, via the social sharing buttons. Also you can subscribe for more travel tips. If you have any additions or comments, you can comment below.

If you fancy a 7 Day Road Trip through Germany, Austria & Switzerland, have a read of an epic itinerary here.

Thanks for reading,

Lisa

• Don’t forget to get travel insurance before you set out on your adventure. Safety Wing is a great choice and so reasonable.
• If you are looking for accommodation, then Hostelworld or Booking.com are good options with plenty of accommodation choices.
• Looking to book tours, entry tickets and more, check out Get your Guide.
• Follow me on instagram @wandererlane 🙂 

Last updated on April 11th, 2023 at 04:28 pm

Looking for the greatest things to do in Eindhoven? Then you have come to the right place. It might seem like there is not much to do here, but when you take a closer look, there is many things to see and do in this modern city.

Read on to find out about the various activities, museums, landmarks, festivals and markets on offer and waiting to be explored. Then I will reveal my top 3, so hang around…

Maybe you plan to visit Amsterdam too, just a 1 hour 20 minute train from Eindhoven. Check out my recent post to discover what to do there – things to do in Amsterdam in April

Want to save some money, take a look at 7 costly things not to do in the Netherlands.

Glow Eindhoven

Glow takes place in November every year and it lights up the city. It is an event where light art is showcased all over the city, on its streets and buildings.

There is a 5km route you can follow where you can take in all the art installations throughout the city. Find out more on the website.

Carnaval is a Catholic festival that puts an emphasis on role-reversal and the suspension of social norms. Basically everyone dresses up, goes to the pub and drinks beer.

There is normally a big marquee in the centre of Eindhoven with traditional Dutch music playing where you can buy drinks and party. It is nice to experience it if you are in the country at the time.

Dutch Design Week takes place every October in Eindhoven. This is the biggest design event in Northern Europe. There is a multitude of events going on over 1 week – from exhibitions to seminars to workshops and talks. If it interests you, check out the detail here.

Septemberplein Markt Eindhoven

There are a variety of museums in Eindhoven, some of which may interest you. Why not try out the PSV Museum where you get to view PSV memorabilia, special photos, and unique video footage while exploring over 100 years of history. Get your tickets here.

Buy Ticket for PSV Museum Now!

The DAF museum showcases the history of DAF and the collection of trucks and cars made throughout the years. You can book a ticket here. It is located at Tongelresestraat 27.

Maybe you might prefer the Van Abbe Museum of modern and contemporary art. It is located at Stratumsedijk 2. Tickets can be bought here.

The Philips museum is another option. It offers Philips’ history and inventions. As well as this, it shows it’s significance for the city of Eindhoven. You can purchase tickets at the desk or online here.

The Prehistorisch Dorp or prehistoric village is an open air museum where you can experience the past, going back in time, meeting historical inhabitants and hearing their stories. Find out more and buy tickets here.

The Motion Imagination Experience is where the visitor is taken into an imaginary world of image, sound and interaction. It stimulates your senses and even allows you to escape reality. You can buy a ticket here.

Buy Motion Imagination Experience Here! De Blob

Other things to do in Eindhoven include walking around the city to see some of its famous landmarks. St Catherine’s Church is a beautiful neo-gothic style, Roman Catholic church. It is located on Catharinaplein.

Also, while you are in the centre pass by De Blob (that’s actually what it’s called, I didn’t just make it up!). This futuristic style building is a must see in the area.

The Evoluon is another landmark of the area. Another futuristic style building that is shaped like a flying saucer. A number of events and congresses take place there nowadays. However, it is located a bit further out from the centre in Noord Brabantlaan 1A.

More interesting things to do in Eindhoven is to visit some of the cities markets. The Woenselse Market is located on Kruisstraat every Saturday. There is fruit, veg, baked goods, clothes and more on offer.

Centrum Market takes place on 18 Septemberplein every Tuesday. Here you can browse fabrics, flowers and cosmetics as well as fruit, veg and local delicacies.

The feel good market is located at Torenallee, StrijpS and takes place every third Sunday of the month. It is packed with handmade, original and inspiring products, delicious (bio) snacks, drinks, workshops and live music.

Downtown Gourmet Market is a food market based at Smalle Haven 2-14. It has 19 restaurants which are all under the one roof so there is plenty of options for everyone.

If you download the butlaroo app, you can just scan the QR code on the table and get the menus for all the restaurants in the market. The is a bar there too so you can relax and enjoy a drink.

If you are visiting in the warm summer months, you may fancy a swim in the lake or a lie down at the beach. Believe it or not, Eindhoven has it’s very own beach. This is a great way to spend the day and just €5 to enter. Find out more here.

PSV are title contenders in the Eredivisie and also compete in the European games. The Philips stadium is less than a five minute walk from the city centre; it holds 36,000 people, so the atmosphere is always great at a game.

If you would like to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, then make your way to Philip de Jongh park. About a 20 minute cycle from the centre of Eindhoven, you can take a peaceful walk through this wooded area. Why not bring a picnic to enjoy in the nature.

Karpendonkse Plas is a lovely area to go walking around a large lake. You can take a seat on one of the benches and admire the ducks and geese swimming around the lake. It is about a 12 minute cycle from the centre or 30 minute walk.

If you are looking for somewhere quieter to relax, take a walk through Anne Frankplantsoen. It is a pretty small park but it is closer to the centre than the others, just 20 minutes. Spring is a nice time to visit when you can see some cherry blossoms in bloom.

If you are visiting the city on a wet day, mini golf is a great idea. It is suitable for all ages and doesn’t break the bank. It is very enjoyable and you can book tickets and find out more here.

If you want to burn some energy and are feeling fit, you can do some trampolining at jumpsquare. You can choose to jump for 60 minutes, right up to 120 minutes.

Padel is becoming more and more popular and is well worth a try. It is a sport that is really easy to pick up and great fun. There are courts directly behind the Piazza in Eindhoven so really close to the centre. You can reserve a court online here.

Maybe you want to try out some rock climbing? Try out Monk bouldering which is located near Strijp-S. It is climbing on walls 4m high without ropes or any aids. You will find more than 200 climbing routes at Monk. Find out more information here.

Mooie Boules is a pub located on Kleine Berg that you can play boules while you have a drink. Want to try it out? Then you can book via the website here.

Hezemans indoor karting is where you can compete in a formula 1 style race – you take part in practice, qualifying, and a final. You need a group of at least 8 to take part. If you are feeling competitive then this is a good choice.

You can also chose to do axe throwing here and it is all located in the one place. Book online here.

Eindhoven Canal

Go sharing scooters are electric scooters that fit 2 people seated. These can be found all over the city. You need to download the app, there you can see where the scooters are located on a map. Then you can reserve the nearest one and you pay per minute through the app.

This is a very convenient way of getting places. This option is best if you want to go to one or two places and plan on using for 2 hours or less.

You can also opt to rent e-fatbikes for the full day (11am to 5pm) and take them wherever you want. This option is cheaper than the go-sharing scooter if you plan on driving for the full day. Find out more information here.

The best value of them all is to rent a bicycle. That is if you are feeling fit and are happy to cycle. You can rent a bike for €10 per day. Check out more information here.

You can also get around by bus. If you are just in Eindhoven for a short stay, it is easiest to buy tickets onboard. If you plan to live in the Netherlands for a while, then you can buy an OV chipkaart which means you will get reduced prices for bus rides.

Uber is available in Eindhoven too. If you fancy a car journey to your next destination, just get an Uber, they are much cheaper than a taxi.

Now for my top 3 greatest things to do in Eindhoven…. Number one has to be Carnaval, when everyone dresses up and goes out on the session. In second place, we have Karpendonkse Plas, my favourite place to go walking. Last but not least is going for a spin around the city on a go-sharing scooter.

This hostel is a good budget option. It is ideally located for party goers. Situated on Stratumsedijk, just a 5 minute walk from Stratumseind, the longest pub street in the Netherlands. As well as this, it is rated 8 out of 10 on hostelworld, which is good. You can book your stay here.

Book 3BE Backpackers Bed Here!

This 4 star hotel is ideally located, just a 5 minute walk north of central station. As I was in there once before, the rooms are very clean and comfortable. It is rated an 8.3 on booking.com and you can book a stay here.

If you really want to go all out, go for this 5 star hotel, located in the heart of Eindhoven. Just walk out the front door and you are surrounded by restaurant and pubs. On the top floor of this hotel, you can find Vane skybar, a bar and restaurant that offers stunning views over the whole city. It is rated 8.7 on booking.com and you can book here.

If you want to know where to eat, check out Vegan food Eindhoven: 10 best places in the city centre.

I hope you enjoyed this post on the greatest things to do in Eindhoven. If it was helpful, share with your friends or comment below your thoughts. Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe if you want to get the latest posts first.

Thanks for reading,

Lisa

• Don’t forget to get travel insurance before you set out on your adventure. Safety Wing is a great choice and so reasonable.
• If you are looking for accommodation, then Hostelworld or Booking.com are good options with plenty of accommodation choices.
• Looking to book tours, entry tickets and more, check out Get your Guide.
• Follow me on instagram @wandererlane 🙂 

Last updated on June 28th, 2023 at 04:34 pm

As I normally do not travel alone, I have enlisted some brilliant women, queens of solo travel, to speak about their unique experiences. I will introduce Deirdre, Tally, Amie & Evelina throughout the post. From South America to Asia and Europe, these ladies have travelled far and wide and are full of knowledge, with some great insider tips for you. As Tally says “if you have any reservation about solo travel, just do it!” Read on to find out about their top picks of cheap places to travel as a solo female…

To provide a short overview, it was clear that South East Asia was a hot favourite among all 4, providing great bang for your buck and incredible adventures. Tally gives us some insight into her favourite destinations in South America & Deirdre points out the great places to consider in Europe.

Go To:

South East Asia

1. Vietnam
2. Thailand
3. Indonesia
4. Laos

South America

Europe

1. Bosnia & Herzegovina
2. Romania
3. Northern Croatia
4. Bulgaria

Read this post I made which may be helpful for you about helpful tips for solo female travellers

Ha Giang Loop, Vietnam

First up for cheap places to travel to as a solo female is Vietnam. 3/4 of the ladies mentioned Vietnam as a favourite.

Tally mentions that plenty of travellers do Vietnam solo, so you won’t be alone. She said that the number and variety of hostels is great, the food was brilliant and the experiences were incredible. The Ha Giang loop, golden hand bridge and Sapa were her highlights. She says she didn’t skimp on activities and even while doing the more expensive activities, her daily spend was still just £35.

One negative Tally mentioned was that buses can be awkward as you arrive really early to places, sometimes around 4 in the morning. Tally avoided taking buses but thankfully, domestic flights were really cheap.

Evelina talks about Northern Vietnam as being pretty affordable, sometimes she was a little on edge with using her phone, but other than that she still felt quite safe. Her favourite things to do there were the Ha Giang loop and Cat Ba island.

Amie also mentioned going to Hanoi and the Ha Giang loop and that the quality of accommodation for the price you pay was the best in Vietnam.

Evelina behind @evs_adventures Instagram page is a travel enthusiast & digital nomad who offers invaluable solo travel tips, guides & shares what her life is like as a digital nomad.

White Temple, Chiang Rai

Tally talks about Thailand and how most people start their travels in Bangkok. She was barely ever on her own in Thailand and thought it was a really social place. This makes it a great destination to travel solo. She says you get a lot of support travelling in Thailand and loved the food there, mentioning you can get a meal for around £1.50.

Evelina also explains why Thailand is great to travel alone. “Northern Thailand is one of the safest and budget friendly places to visit. Chiang Mai is great, it is extremely safe and budget friendly with great food and great people. It is surrounded by mountains with lots of digital nomads and things to do.

There are amazing coffee shops and a laid back vibe. It is not too busy, not too quiet and has lots of opportunities to meet people.”

Check out my recent post on must visit places in Thailand for some inspiration.

Twin Lake Viewpoint, Munduk, Bali

Deirdre mentioned that “Indonesia stands out as one of the best places I have travelled to solo. Everything from food to accommodation is affordable. The locals in Java and Sumatra were always up for a chat with me which I loved and this helped me feel more at ease. The hostels that I stayed in were social and I made pals to hang out with in no time.”

Amie also mentioned Bali, Indonesia as being a favourite for her. In terms of overall spending money, it goes very far in Bali.

Indonesia is quite diverse as you have Sumatra up North where you can see orangutans, Java in the middle where you can go hiking volcanoes and discover a multitude of temples. Bali is the most popular for tourists and digital nomads who enjoy a relaxed lifestyle. It is a popular surfing spot too.

For more Bali inspiration, read my 2 day Munduk itinerary and how to get to the gili islands.

Amie (@amie_wiley on Instagram) is founder of Active with Amie that helps women with their health, fitness and mindset goals. Amie has travelled to many countries and continents and loves to share her travel experiences and what she learns from them.

Kuang Si Waterfall, Laos

Evelina & Tally both talk about Laos. They both loved that it was super affordable. Evelina mentions there were lots of backpackers, delicious food, great hostels and availability of transport. Plus, the nature is beautiful there.

On the other hand she did say that it is a poor country and it lacks infrastructure – a lack of hygiene, poor/dusty roads, lots of rubbish but don’t be discouraged as it is a great place to backpack!

Machu Picchu, Peru

Tally talks about how Peru is a great cheap place to travel as a solo female. She says it is very affordable but there are loads to do there which can increase the cost. It is an incredibly safe place to travel and a good starting point for people. She thought Peru had the best food in South America.

Some of the popular things to do in Peru include; hiking the Inca Trail, exploring the Amazon rainforest, hiking Macha Picchu & visiting Lake Titicaca to name a few.

Tally (@_taltravels_ on Instagram) is currently backpacking solo through South East Asia and has previously travelled solo through South America. Tally documents her incredible adventures over on her instagram & shares her expert advice.

Salt Flats, Bolivia

Tally really enjoyed Bolivia and would recommend it for solo female travellers. She felt very safe there and thought it was very laid back. She said it was really cheap and the food was ok. The salt flats tour was the BEST thing she did in South America. Check out the tours available here.

Sarajevo

Deirdre recommends visiting Sarajevo & Mostar. “In Sarajevo, I did a free walking tour and got loads of good tips on where to eat locally and learned about the city. I would highly recommend going to the memorial Gallery 11/07/95 to learn about the Srebrenica massacre.”

She enjoyed the pretty old town of Mostar too. “The main thing to do is stroll along the river, see the old bridge and go to some of the museums”.

Deirdre & Niamh, the 2 sisters behind @girlsgobackpack Instagram page, both full-time healthcare workers who love to spend their time-off travelling (mostly solo) while documenting their adventures and sharing top tips along the way.

Cluj Napoca

Deirdre suggests heading to Cluj Napoca in Romania if you are looking for a cheap weekend away. “The old town is beautiful and especially so during the Christmas markets.”

She availed of the free walking tour and strolled around the city after. Also, Deirdre noted that there is not a whole pile to do in the line of sightseeing, but it is perfect for a weekend. Plus, be sure to wrap up as it gets extremely cold!

Zagreb, Croatia

Deirdre enjoyed her time in Croatia. She advises if you are planning a European road trip, to consider the Croatian towns of Rovinj, Pula and the mountain villages of Grozjnan and Motovun. As they are off the beaten track, you do need a car to get there.

Deirdre has been south to Dubrovnik as well but noticed it was much more expensive down there, so head North if you are on a budget.

Check out more of my Croatia posts – what to do in Split for a week and use this packing list for Croatia to get set on your travels.

Sofia Cathedral

Finally Deirdre recommends Sofia as a cheap place to travel as a solo female. “Everything is extremely cheap and the food and beer there is so nice”. Her highlight was doing a hiking day trip to the seven lakes with Get Your Guide. You can book the tour here.

I hope you enjoyed this post on 10 cheap places to travel as a solo female and gained some inspiration for your next trip. Be sure to share this post with your friends, comment below your thoughts and subscribe for more travel content.

• Don’t forget to get travel insurance before you set out on your adventure. Safety Wing is a great choice and so reasonable.
• If you are looking for accommodation, then Hostelworld or Booking.com are good options with plenty of accommodation choices.
• Looking to book tours, entry tickets and more, check out Get your Guide.
• Follow me on instagram @wandererlane 🙂 

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